The Thief on the Cross

(Lk 23:32-43)

Outline Originally by Mike Cornwell.  Adapted by M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2000026

Subject: salvation; first principles

Preached Originally: 04/23/00 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.      The thief on the cross is mentioned only in 14 verses in the N. T

1.     you can find him mentioned in Mt. 27:38, 44; Mk 15:27,28, 32; Lk 23:32,33 , 39-43;  Jhn 19:18,22.

2.     There are those who point to the thief as an example of being saved into eternity.

a)     During his lifetime, Jesus forgave people of their sins in various ways in order to prove He was the Son of God.

b)     We see this in the story of Zacchaeus .. the penitent woman who bathed his feet with her tears .. the woman caught in adultery .. and the rich young ruler. 

3.     The Lord laid down general principals of salvation in His ministry on earth .. but .. the specific terms of pardon were not fully announced until after shed His blood on Calvary’s cross. 

B.     Nothing can be held as an example of pardon for us today that occurred before the Lord’s death .. burial .. resurrection.

C.     This is true for the thief that died that day on his cross.  The penitent thief was told in Lk 23:43 .. “.. Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”  Jesus honored the thief’s request by promising they would be together that very same day in “Paradise.”

D.     There is no Greek or Hebrew word for “paradise” .. This is an Oriental word meaning “The sum of Blessedness.” 

1.      This had no reference to their bodies and where they would later be deposited

2.     it had reference to where their spirits would be.  Both would go unto the realm of departed spirits. 

3.     They would be in a place known as “paradise” - Lk 23:43.

a)     Paul called this the third heaven in 1 Cor 12:2-4

b)    This is a place of pleasure and referred to as “Abraham’s bosom” in Lk 16:19-31. 

c)    This place is reserved for the ones who are safe (children and mentally incompetent) and the saved... They go to “paradise.”

4.     It is a foregone conclusion that Christ promised the thief “salvation” and a coveted blessing.

 

I.  We want to take a closer look at the thief  on his cross.

A.         The thief has been used as an example for salvation by those who are ignorant.

1.       They point to him as an example of salvation .. in addition to what is known as

a)    “Death bed salvation.”

2.       This point is made in an attempt to circumvent the need of obedience to the gospel.

a)       They try to get around the fact that one is saved in baptism 1 Pet 3:21

b)       They point to the supposed fact that the thief had not been baptized.

c)       If the thief had not been baptized then it is not necessary for man today

d)       To be saved from his sins.

3.       THE SCRIPTURES DO NOT SAY THAT THE THIEF WAS NOT BAPTIZED!

B.        Let me say this - There is no question that the thief was forgiven that day on the cross.

1.       But….no man on earth could state with certainty - that he was saved without baptism

C.        Mat 3:5-6 - The Bible does say that all of Judea went out to be baptized of John

1.       Jn 4:1-2 - The bible says that Jesus through His disciples baptized more than John

2.       Only the “Father” would have had the knowledge to declare the thief was not baptized.

D.        The thief displayed an unusual knowledge of Jesus Christ and the scriptures.

1.       Where did this knowledge come from?

2.       Look back at Lk 23:39-41.

a)       The thief calls Jesus “Lord” and then asks in 23:32

b)       Where did this knowledge come from?

c)       he also knew that the Lord’s kingdom was yet to come!

3.       Those who use the thief as an example of salvation still have not learned that fact!

a)       The Lord’s Kingdom has come!

E.        There is strong reasons to believe that this thief was an erring child of God.

1.       He evidently lived in Palestine and died and was buried in Palestine.

2.       It was very likely that the thief was “Jewish” by race

a)       We know that he was not a Roman for the Imperial roman Empire did not crucify a Roman citizen.

b)       If he were Jewish .. he was born to Jewish parents brought up under the Law.

c)       Thereby born into a covenant relationship with God from his mother’s womb.

d)       He could not have been an alien.

II.  Let’s look carefully at the time of the thief’s death ... THIS WILL SHOW THAT IT IS NOT A PATTERN FOR US TODAY

A.    He died during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.

1.    This was limited to the lost sheep of the house of Israel .. that being Jews.

a)     Mat 10:6  Jhn 1:31  .. Stay with me know!!!

b)     There is no record of anyone being pardoned for sin who were not Jews.

B.    The thief died while the Old Testament ordinances were still in force.

1.    The Law as given to Moses was still in effect until Christ’s death.  (Col 2:14).

2.    The “will” of Christ was not operative while its testator was still alive.

a)     (Heb 9:16,17)

b)     The first covenant was without the cleansing “blood”  (Heb 9:18).

c)     it took the blood of Christ to effect the New Testament or will of Christ.

3.    When Christ became our “high priest” .. he fulfilled the Old Law (Mat 5:17).

4.    Christ instituted His New Testament (Will) .. a change of priesthood took place.  Heb 7:12

5.    To return to the Old Testament law now would cause us to be severed from Christ.

a)     We would have to fall from GRACE ..   (Gal 5:4).  

C.   The thief died before the “church-kingdom” was established.

1.    The church had its beginning many days after the cross ..

a)     Following the resurrection of Christ .. it began on the day of Pentecost  (Acts 2).

2.    All  spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph 1:3).

3.    We are the glorious church without spot or wrinkle

a)     That is the church that Christ will present to himself (Eph 5:27).

4.    Before the church was established .. repentance and remission of sins

a)     In His name had not been preached nor taught  Lk 24:27

D.   How can anyone use the thief as an example of salvation today?

1.    Forgiveness and all spiritual blessings are given after the establishment of the church.

2.    It was impossible for the thief to know any of these.

a)     Or any one else during that time and before.

3.    The thief died before Jesus completed His offering for the sins of the world.

a)     The Gospel is the death .. burial .. resurrection of Christ  - 1 Cor 15:1-3

b)     The thief could not have known the gospel as we do today.

4.    It had not been given as yet.

 

III.  In closing .. let’s look at the New Will of Christ.

A.    Jesus died on the cross to put His New Testament will into effect.

1.  Jesus had to die .. be buried .. and be resurrected ...

a)     For the former Testament to replaced the New.

2.  The thief lived and died before the will of Christ went to effect.

a)    He was never subjected to its conditions.

b)    But .. he did all that was required of him.

B.    The effectiveness of a will can only be effected by the death of the maker.

C.   From the establishment of the church kingdom .. all men are subject to the ..

1.    Conditions of the New Testament.

2.    We will be judged by “its” content .. none other.

 

 

Conclusion:

A.  There are conditions within Christ’s will for pardon of our sin.

B.    Hear the Word .. Believe the Word .. Be repentive of sins .. Confess Christ .. Be Baptized

C.   I N V I T A T I O N